Madhya Pradesh government introduces ‘low alcoholic beverage bar’

Madhya Pradesh will restrict the sale of liquor in 19 places, including 17 religious cities, under its new Excise Policy from April 1, 2025. The state has also introduced a 'low alcoholic beverage bar', wherein drinks with a maximum of 10 per cent alcohol content will be served.

An official said that as per the new policy, which was released on Sunday, these low-alcohol bars would serve beer, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. Only those drinks with an alcohol content of up to 10 per cent v/v (volume on volume) would be allowed for consumption in the new bars. The government release further said that the consumption of spirits will be strictly prohibited in such bars.

At present, there are around 460 to 470 liquor-cum-beer bars across Madhya Pradesh and with the addition of the new outlets, the number of bars will increase significantly, an excise department official told the new agency.